Kuznetsov confirms he tested positive for COVID-19 for 2nd time in early May

Washington Capitals forward Evgeny Kuznetsov confirmed Thursday he recently tested positive for COVID-19 for a second time this season after previously spending time on the NHL's protocol list, according to The Associated Press' Stephen Whyno.

Kuznetsov was placed on the league's COVID-19 protocol list on May 4 and didn't skate for nearly two weeks, according to The Washington Post's Samantha Pell. He missed the team's first two games of the postseason and returned for Game 3 on Wednesday, playing 26:41.

"It's funny, they said it's not a lot of people get it twice, so it wasn't easy to be in hockey shape right away after you sit in a house," Kuznetsov said.

The 29-year-old previously tested positive for the coronavirus in January. He said at the time he did experience symptoms and was "happy" to be alive. However, he said the second time around wasn't as rough.

"This time was much better, like you said, I been there before so I been focusing on recover quick and join the team and play hockey," he said.

Kuznetsov totaled nine goals and 20 assists in 41 games during the regular season.